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The boxes below are all tick-able, so you can see your progress in green, or alternatively you can print out the page to take with you when viewing a car.

Documents

Check the seller is the registered keeper on the V5C

Ensure the V5C has a watermark on it

Check the VIN (vehicle identification number) on the V5C matches that on the car

Check the colour on the V5C matches the car

Check the car’s MOT certificate

Check for any advisories on the latest MOT

Check previous MOT’s to ensure the mileage adds up and increases year on year

Check any previous advisories on old MOT certificates and ensure fixes have been implemented

Check the service book for the service history – Are there any large gaps?

Bodywork & Exterior

Check wheels for evidence of kerbing

Check that tires are correctly inflated – slightly deflated tyres could be a sign of a slow puncture

Listen closely to each tyre for any signs of air escaping

Check tyre sidewall to ensure no bulging

Check tyre tread. 1.6mm is the legal limit but it should be well above this

Check for uneven wear across the tyre face. This could mean uneven alignment

If the wheels are aftermarket check the manufacturer to ensure they are of a good quality

Check the windscreen for any chips or cracks that would need repairing

Check for any suspicious panels that look resprayed

Ensure the paint is a consistent quality all around the car and that there is no fading

 Check the gaps between every panel are all the same

Check wheel wells and under car for any signs of welding or rust

Look for any signs of accident damage, check panel colour and form

Turn all lights on individually including indicators and ensure all are working

Interior

If the car is reasonably new the interior should reflect that and be almost spotless

Check seat bolsters for wear

Check all trim pieces are securely fitted

Check all equipment is working such as heated seats, window wipers etc.

Check all gauges are working

Turn the air conditioning on and ensure there is no squeaking sound

Check all fan speeds and settings work

Check steering wheel for wear or replacement

Check to see if any replaced panels have been installed correctly

See if the spare tyre and manufacturer tools are still in the car

Check for any signs of water damage in the glovebox, along the floor and under seats

Engine

Check the belts to see if they look worn

Check all hoses to ensure none are loose and none feel brittle

Ask how old the battery is ensuring it is no older than 4 years

Check engine bay for sign of leaks

Check the floor under car for signs of leaking

Check the oil level is at correct level

Check that the oil on dipstick is not discoloured (it should be clear)

Remove the oil cap and check for a white or brown sludge. You shouldn’t see any

 If mods such as a turbo have been added, check for that the corresponding parts have been installed such as intercooler

 Check all other fluids such as brake fluid and coolant to ensure they are all at the correct level

Turn the ignition on ensuring all warning lights come on

Start the car and check all warning lights go out

Ask seller to start car with bonnet up. Listen for unusual noises or screeching

Check the car idles consistently after a couple;e of minutes

Gearbox & Clutch

 Check the biting point of the clutch at a stand still. It should be at around middle of the pedal travel

If the clutch is long, meaning the bite point is at the floor it could mean a failing clutch

Exhaust

With engine on walk to back of the car – Check for any consistent coloured smoke

Blue smoke indicates oil leaking into the cylinders

White smoke can point to head gasket failure

Black smoke indicates too much fuel being burned

Suspension

Push firmly on each corner of the car a few times and release. It should return to stationary with a couple of bounces and shouldn’t squeak

Check the vehicle is sitting level

When driving pay attention for rough ride

 When driving listen for any squeaks

Make sure vehicle doesn’t pull to one side when driving

Test Drive

Find a safe spot and turn full lock both directions to ensure nothing rubs

Brake firmly in a straight line, make sure the brake pedal feels firm and responsive

Check the car doesn’t pull to one direction when braking

Drive over bumps and listen out for any noises from the suspension

Let go of the steering wheel briefly when safe to do so and ensure it is centred and remains driving straight

Listen for any interior rattling

Check all gears engage smoothly

If the car is automatic check that the car kicks down well when you accelerate hard

If driving a manual, drive at around 30MPH in top gear and floor the throttle. Ensure the engine revs don’t increase quickly. This could mean the clutch is slipping

If you are looking to buy a modified used car, but are unsure about some of the mechanical aspects. Then head over to our ultimate guide to car modifications to learn about which modifications you should and shouldn’t be looking for.

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Viewing a modified car to buy can be an uncomfortable experience if you’d struggle to tell the difference between a DPF & DMF. This is the same when buying a regular used car or a modified used car. There are a few easy yet crucial things that everybody can look for and are easy to spot. Below we have detailed a few main areas you should at least look over once when viewing and test driving a used car.

Benefits of buying a modified car

There are plenty of benefits of buying an already modified car. Especially if you plan on buying a stock car and modifying it yourself, you could save yourself a lot of money.

Generally, modifying a car doesn’t add much value when compared to the original car’s value. Depending on the modifications, it could even negatively affect the car’s value if not done well.

The two obvious benefits on buying an already modified car are better appearance, and better performance. These are the two main reasons that people upgrade their cars.

Both performance upgrades and aesthetic upgrades both cost a lot of money just to buy the parts, let alone to pay for fitting. For this reason alone buying an already modified car for a small premium can work out very cost effective compared to making the modifications yourself.

There are exceptions to this rule however. Certain aftermarket parts can be very sort after and carry a high resale value. Take a full Akrapovic exhaust system for example. The value of the part alone can exceed £3,000, £4,000. If this part was installed on a car for sale it would increase the car’s value.

Another good example would be tuning companies who offer full overhaul packages. Companies such as Hamann & Vorsteiner offer full upgrade packages which can include performance tuning and aero upgrades. Cars which have full kits such as this can fetch a premium price.

Potential negatives of buying a modified car

That’s not say there isn’t any negatives of buying a modified car. There can be many.

First, the most obvious, most costly, yet easiest thing to prove. You don’t know who has carried out the work, or their level of expertise.

Our number one tip when looking at buying a used modified car is to see as much paper work and receipts as you can. Without receipts from mechanics, the turbocharger on that sweet looking miata may be ready to blow.

Most body modifications, when done tastefully look cool. Fact. They can however be hiding some nasty surprises. Rust, Dogdy paint work, accident damage just to name a few. This one is harder to tell as receipts only tell so much of the story.

If a car has been in an accident or is listed as an insurance write off, Cat D or Cat C there should be accompanying paperwork showing the extent of the damage along with paperwork regarding the repair. If you know a car has ad an accident but you aren’t presented with repair receipts be wary.

A top tip is to always check the panel gaps around the car to ensure they are even. Also try to view the car twice before buying, making sure you visit at different times of day. This is to check the body panels for consistent paint colour. Quite often direct sunlight hides the fact that a body panel has been resprayed, and can be easier to spot on an overcast day.

Vinyl wraps can also hide some dodgy paintwork, so always ask the seller their reason for respraying or wrapping a car.

If you are looking to buy a newer car, you may still be within the manufacturer warranty period. If you are be aware that certain modifications can void your warranty.

On a plus side a lot of upgrade parts do carry their own warranty against failure. As an example alloy wheels and refurbishments generally come with a years warranty against the paint quality.

Things to check when looking at a modified car

Alloy Wheels

Alloys are one of the most common modifications. They are relatively plug and play and can make the quickest visual improvements to an OEM car.

If it isn’t obvious via the appearance then ask the seller the manufacturer of the wheels to ensure they are a good quality.

Exhaust Systems

Another popular modification. Whether the goal is for freer air flow and performance, or pure noise, this one is a common first mod.

It is always good to roll yourself underneath the car and check how the exhaust has been attached. Whether it is clamped on, and therefor easy to remove. Or whether it has been welded on.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

While talking about exhaust systems, a popular, yet illegal modification on diesel cars is to remove the DPF.

These very expensive filter systems generally get clogged and require replacement around 100,000 miles depending on the owner’s type of driving. They can be thousands to replace, yet can be removed for a few hundred.

If during an MOT a car is found to have no DPF then it is an instant failure. Currently the DPF search in an MOT is only a visual inspection of the box, so it can be gutted and not spotted by an inspector.

Engine upgrades

An important area to inspect and ask the seller about is upgrades to the engine, as these can really bite a buyer if not done correctly.

Upgrading the power output of an engine, either through bolt on parts or ECU remaps cause additional wear throughout other areas of the system, particularly around the clutch and flywheel. Stock clutches are only designed to handle so much power, and if a car is pushed beyond this then an uprated clutch is required amongst other upgrades.

It is always best to ask and know what you are getting in for if performance modifications have been made.

Interior Modifications

Finally interior modifications. These can often improve the appearance and quality of the interior by including materials such as alcantara. Just a quick note, in particular regarding steering wheels. Just ensure to ask about air bags as a badly fitted steering wheel upgrade could cause air bags to not deploy in the event of an accident.

Before you buy

One last tip before you hand over any money. Give your insurance provider a ring and ask their stance on insuring a modified car. Some insurances flat out don’t allow you to insure modified cars, and some charge a premium for each modification. Better safe than sorry!

If you’re going to look at a modified car with the intention of buying, make sure you print out and bring our modified car checklist.

Looking to learn more about modifications, and which should go together? Learn more by reading our Ultimate Guide to Car Modifications.

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